Osage County Sheriff Michael Dixon to have case reheard

OSAGE COUNTY - A judge has decided Osage County Sheriff Michael Dixon did not receive a fair trial regarding the revocation of his peace officer's license.

Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ordered Thursday the reversal of the Department of Public Safety’s disciplinary decision. Beetem ordered the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission to rehear Dixon’s case for a “cause” determination. If the AHC finds a cause, then the department will conduct a new disciplinary hearing. The department could also choose to appeal the judge's ruling.

The Department of Public Safety had released a statement to the media saying Dixon's license had been revoked before a judge had even reached his final opinion.

Mike O’Connell, communications director for the Missouri Department of Public Safety, said the department is reviewing the judge’s order.

O’Connell said Dixon has had his peace officer’s license because of a judge’s stay on Jan. 31. Dixon did not have his license for about a week in January.

Dixon pleaded guilty to harassing a Belle police officer in July 2014 in St. Louis County Court. Other charges were dropped in exchange for him pleading guilty to the harassment charge.

He admitted in court to making repeated phone calls to Courtney Mahaney and making contact in sexual nature from October 2012 to June 2013. He was ordered to serve two years supervised probation, to complete training courses in sexual harassment and alcohol and drug treatment, and to not have any contact with the victim.